Your Unique Voice

I am reading this particular book for the third time. The first time I read it was September of 2002 for a class I was taking at Bethel Seminary. Then I read this book again in the fall of 2006 while in the Spiritual Directing program at Living Word. Right now, in 2008 I'm reading it again. I guess this means I'll read it in 2010, should I follow the pattern. This quote by Eugene Peterson, which is noted in the book, caught my attention. I keep reviewing it over and over, it's very rich, maybe you will find it intriguing as well...

Something very different takes place in the life of faith: each person discovers all the elements of a unique and original adventure. We are prevented from following in another's footsteps and are called to an incomparable association with Christ. The Bible makes it clear that every time that there is a story of faith, it is completely original. God's creative genius is endless. He, never fatigued and unable to maintain the rigors of creativity, never resorts to mass-producing copies. Each life is a fresh canvas on which He uses lines and colors, shades of lights, textures and proportions that He has never used before.

I am reminded that each of us has a valuable and unique voice, unlike any other voice in the world. No need, then, to compare ourselves with any one else. We have OUR voice, given specially to us, by our Creator God.

As a writer, how are you using your "one of a kind" voice? How do you sense God wanting you to use this gift? What holds you back from developing your written voice? Be encouraged...He gave you this voice, for some to write, for some to paint, etc. He is with you, maybe you feel His gentle nudge? How will you respond to Him?

Enjoy the journey ~

Oh yeah - the book is called "Spiritual Mentoring ~ A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction" by Keith R. Anderson and Randy D. Reese. Excellent book if you are interested in going deeper with your relationship with Jesus.

Creative Idleness

Last night at our gathering we talked about the importance of creative idleness, a term coined by Brenda Ueland in her (awesome) book, "If You Want To Write."

Creativity finds its way out of us not through our busyness, but through our idleness. I must admit, or confess rather, that my life holds more busyness than idleness. And I can tell you, it sucks the creativity right outta me!

One form of creative idleness is to free write for about 20-30 minutes. Free writing is a fun exercise that allows you to move from the busyness of your life into a mindset of creative freedom. There are a few things to keep in mind when free writing:

• Write non-stop for a designated amount of time
• Don't worry about mistakes, grammar or punctuation. Don't make any corrections and please, no erasing
• Keep that hand moving, constantly writing even if you don't know what to write. In stead, just write "I have no idea what to say but I'll keep writing because some writerly folk tells me it's god for me. And you know, this is kinda fun!"
• Do not invite a judge and jury. Just write, no censoring your self.
• Loose control ~ be wild!

Free writing may seem silly, look like jibberish or appear very messy. If you find that to be the case, then guess what? You are doing it right! You see, if your free write is nice, neat and well thought out, then you are not really free writing which means you need to loosen up a bit.

This exercise does many good things for the writer:

• It pushes you past the fear of writing so that you become more comfy with the craft
• Amidst the random thoughts that flow from your head to your hand, you may discover something of value, a nugget, worth spending time to develop. (Maybe your future novel!)
• Heck, it's just fun.
• It gives you the freedom to bypass your "inner critic" (that nagging little voice that tells you that you can't write. That liar!)
• Actually, it will improve your overall writing
• It's a way to blow off some steam or stress
• It's a wonderful journey with an unknown destination...

So, spend some idle time being creative ~ try one free write a day and see where that practice takes you and your writing adventures.

Enjoy the journey!

Let's Write this Thursday

As we slowly approach the beginning of springtime, I hope the urge to write is like the daffodils in my garden...pushing up through the resistance of chilly wet soil, seeking warmth and its life force, the sun.

Our writing is much like that ~ it needs a positive and encouraging environment in which to grow and develop. I hope you will carve out a couple of hours on Thursday this week to devote to the writer within you...

We meet at Living Word in the Common Grounds Coffee Bar at 6:30 PM. See you soon!

grace & peace,
deAnn